Making everyone around the league mad is exactly what the New England Patriots seem to live for, and their recent signing of former league Most Valuable Player, Cam Newton, backs up that point, and then some. For the former Carolina Panthers quarterback, getting back to what made him so successful in the past is what the leader of the Patriots’ defense thinks is in the cards for the 2020 season.
Cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who joined the Ringer's ‘Bakari Sellers Podcast,’ spoke glowingly about the signal-caller, one that has the talent to help soften the blow of incumbent and long-time quarterback Tom Brady having departed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I think it is a great signing,” Gilmore said. “I think Cam is very hungry. I have always been a Cam fan. I think he is hard to prepare against, and he has a great opportunity to compete for a starting job.”
Along with Newton, well-traveled veteran Brian Hoyer, and former Auburn Tiger Jared Stidham join him in the quarterback room, and while the two incumbent players are not necessarily game-changing talents, they will at least provide Newton with some sort of a push that will not let him earn the starting role straight-out, even if his talent dictates that he should.
Head coach Bill Belichick is notorious for keeping team happenings close to the chest, and while the worst kept secret of this offseason was how good of a fit Newton and Belichick would be, the league still needs to keep their eyes on the Patriots, even as the likes of the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets have made strides this offseason in trying to overtake control of the AFC East division.
Having at least been a competitor from afar of his, Gilmore’s appreciation seems to be very glowing of Newton, even though it is characteristic of star players to speak highly of a former star to be joining their team. But not every day is there a former league MVP out on the open market, waiting for a team to scoop him up and eventually signing for a very low-dollar contract.
“I don’t think as big as him, as strong. I think he is his own unique player. Obviously he can run the ball, [and] he can throw it [too]. Anytime you can do both of those things, it is hard to get ready for a certain thing, so he always keeps you off guard. He is very hungry this year. He is healthy now, so I am just looking forward to him helping our team out.”
Follow Us
Subscribe